Panic attacks

What is a panic attack?

When you’re going through a difficult or stressful situation such as a physical attack or accident, it’s normal to feel anxious and panicky. When life returns to normal, for most of us the feelings of panic subside. However, experiencing panic attacks on a regular basis can become overwhelming and affect your day-to-day life.

What are the symptoms?

Emotional symptoms include:

Fear

Apprehension

Terror

Dread

Physical symptoms include:

Nausea

Sweating

Dizziness

Feeling faint

Trembling

Rapid breathing

Increased heart rate

How we can help treat your panic attacks

Panic attacks can be very frightening and intense but they are not dangerous. At Thinkaction, we can help treat you with self-help and talking therapies. You can join one of our friendly and supportive self-help groups that will help you manage your anxiety and prevent panic attacks occurring.

We can offer you cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for problems with panic. CBT helps you to identify how thoughts and behaviour impact on your emotions and bodily symptoms. Your Thinkaction mental health practitioner will help you to develop more balanced thinking patterns and change unhelpful behaviour patterns that may cause or prolong symptoms of panic. This process is always carried out in a gradual, step-by-step way so you feel comfortable and in control.